Modelling a Lipstick

In the third in our series of Blender 3D Basics classes, Ethan Davis begins modelling a lipstick.
 
As he works on his model, using a photograph of a lipstick for reference, Ethan demonstrates a range of modelling tools and techniques. These include the Inset, Loop Cut and Bevel tools, and the Proportional Editing function.
 
Following Ethan step-by-step, you’ll soon get the hang of the fundamental elements of the 3D modelling process.
You may also find it useful to refer to the Modelling entry in our 3D CGI Terminology A-Z.

Comments

  1. Hi, need some help understanding the process at 18:00 scaling upwards & inwards. When I try to do the something, I am loosing symmetry. Is there an option that we need to select before doing this?

  2. Hey Ethan,

    I’ve got a question about modelling the circle.

    How would you go about duplicating it symmetrically on four different sides? Would you do a shift select on the faces and then inset?

    Many thanks,
    H

  3. Fighting my way through this, but quite a few things are not working on my end as expected. For instance, at around 5:40 while in edit mode the tutorial says to hit the “S” key then “Shift+Z” (if I understand correctly). When I do that in edit mode if I hit “S” then Shift+Z it toggles the cylinder between wireframe and solid modes? If I switch to Object Mode and do the “S” then Shift+Z, the cylinder behaves as in the video? I am finding workarounds for most of the discrepancies, but is this because I am using Mac Version 3.1.0 in Big Sur maybe on a 2019 Mac Pro?

  4. Lightplanning

    It took me a while but I found the solution, you need to downscale the power window for this mode with the mouse wheel. It will take quite a few rolls to get there as the object is small.
    1. Select the vertex
    2. hit s or click on scale mode
    3. click on the inner circle to see the black arrow coming out from the vertex
    4. keep scrolling until your finger gets tired, you should see the ‘Proportional Size’ is getting smaller on the top left of the screen

    1. maham

      Hey Light
      this is just perfect, thank you so much, i have finally got it right ..
      i did not select the vertex nor was i hitting the scale, and thank you for the tip about the finger has to get tired for you to see that circle, haha.
      thank you once again

  5. EthanDavis

    HI Graham, to increase segments in the bevel you can just increase the amount in the box on the bottom right or using the mouse wheel, scroll up to increase. Thanks 🙂

    1. Thanks Ethan. I might come across as a bit short of a load, but I’m absolutely brand new to this. I’ll try not to bog you down with questions.

  6. Hi Ethan,

    At 13 minutes, you’re bevelling, and it breaks the bevel into 3, but when I do it, I’m only getting a single bevelled face? Any clue?

    Thanks

    1. No worries, I think I’ve done it. Increasing the segments to 3 in the dialogue box that appears once you’ve started the bevel?

      1. EthanDavis

        HI Graham, to increase segments in the bevel you can just increase the amount in the box on the bottom right or using the mouse wheel, scroll up to increase. Thanks 🙂

  7. maham

    Hey…
    Can anyone please help me with one thing, i cant move forward been stuck at this one point since 2 days now.
    at 35:00, when Ethan uses Proportionate Editing, he is increasing the size of this loop which is making the top end of the lipstick pointed, i cant get to increase the size of the loop and when i do scale it all of the top part of the lipstick moves not just the top circular part.

    Thank you

    1. Hi Lamia,

      I’m stuck at the same point. Ethan seems to select a tool with a hotkey to manipulate the virtex but then doesn’t say what it is. From a total beginner point of view, this is a problem for me, as if I knew what the tool was, I could YouTube or Google it to see how to use it… maybe I’m missing something. Also, watching to the end, a minor point, as I’m sure Ethan would be able to achieve the correct shape, but that’s not the right shape for a lipstick. The back and front curve in in the same way as the sides, almost bullet like, with a flat plane on the front

      1. maham

        Hey Graham,
        i totally get you point, but I’m also a beginner like yourself and we are in this together, i have made that top part 4 times just to get that point right but it isn’t happening for me, i think now I’ll just go with the flow keep it as it is. however, if i do come across a way to make it happen, I’ll definitely let you know, right here.

        cheers

        1. EthanDavis

          Hi Lamia, to increase the size of the circle, you can just use the mouse wheel or + or – symbols on your keyboard, if you have any other questions let me know:)

          1. maham

            Hey Ethan,
            I figured that out by observing what your doing with the mouse, but it still didn’t work for me, and then i moved onto the Texturing part, and now, the lipstick is just like that.

            Thank you so much for reaching out.
            Regards

    2. Lightplanning

      It took me a while but I found the solution, you need to downscale the power window for this mode with the mouse wheel. It will take quite a few rolls to get there as the object is small.
      1. Select the vertex
      2. hit s or click on scale mode
      3. click on the inner circle to see the black arrow coming out from the vertex
      4. keep scrolling until your finger gets tired, you should see the ‘Proportional Size’ is getting smaller on the top left of the screen

    3. Hey there,
      I saw your comment and I realised that I was stuck at the same point for literally weeks, trying to figure out, just to find out it was a small stupid thing to change…
      So the solution: The effect radius might be too small/big as we work with an extremely small object compared with the default mesh size. In my case it was too big. Make sure you have proportional editing activated, then select any number of vertices/edges/faces, press G or R or S to transform those and then SCROLL the mouse wheel down. A circle should grow around your selected parts that indicates the effect range of the proportional editing.
      I hope you figured it out in the meantime, otherwise it might help.
      Cheers

  8. Here Ethan, I have a quick doubt, at minute 3:52 while you’re comparing the size between the cylinder and the reference image, with my screen I have a totally different view with the “Front Orthographic” that said when I switch to “back Orthographic” then I have the same view as you, is something I have to change in settings? or I did something wrong in the process?

    Thanks in advance

    1. Hi Gareth, I’m sure there could be but I think the idea of this class is to teach you to model it?

      1. Karl, I had the same question. The file I’d love to have is the reference image used in the tutorial.

        Mike

Leave a Comment